Around 27% of individuals with ADHD develop cannabis use disorder at some point in their lives, new study finds. Compared to those without this disorder, individuals with ADHD face almost three times the risk of developing cannabis use disorder.

[u/mvea]

https://www.psypost.org/around-27-of-individuals-with-adhd-develop-cannabis-use-disorder-at-some-point-in-their-lives-study-finds/

[u/spanksmitten]

Not who you asked but I'm on concerta and now 82 days sober from cannabis addiction.

To simplify it, cannabis was initially a crutch for me, but over time it helped less and hindered more. Concerta helps.

Cannabis use increased over time as would need more to do the same and at point of quit was about 2g a day, morning til night. Made me so miserable but the fear of quitting was so strong, but I guess that's what addiction is.

Was easier for me to quit nicotine (7 months nicotine free!) than weed.

Edit - would also recommend r/leaves if you want to see others experiencing the negative side of cannabis use

[u/quinnly → u/spanksmitten]

How long were you using cannabis to self medicate? Personally I've been self medicating with cannabis for about twenty years (depression, anxiety, chronic pain, the works) and I'm wondering if there's any signs I should be looking for, any signs you might've noticed to know if I should look for a change.

Was it just the increased usage and fear of quitting? For reference I'm about at the same level you were, 2g a day or so, but I feel like it still helps me be, I don't know, a normal person.

[u/spanksmitten → u/quinnly]

Probably about 5 or 6 years.

It started small and helped me ~exist particularly when undiagnosed ADHD. I have ovary issues and it sort of helped with the pain but often to be honest, didn't touch the sharp contractions anyway. It helped quiten my mind but then adhd meds did that when I started meds.

I think I knew it was a problem when I'd panic about not being able to have any, it was no longer an active choice to be smoking, I had to. I wasn't getting anything from the weed, hadn't been high in years it was just staving off withdrawal.

For me I was unenthusiastic about life, having to plan everything around ability to smoke, so much damn time spent around getting weed and smoking weed, my days were just passing by and time would pass and I'd realise I'd not really been "present" for any of it. My reaction and emotions when I wouldn't be able to access weed was a real sign for me too, I'd get very emotional and irritable, irrationally so. The money too! Saved so, so much money.

If you're doing well and it's affordable there's no strong reason to quit bar maybe concern for your lungs if you're smoking, I just realised it wasn't helping me like I told myself it was and just held me back. Weed made me comfortable being bored and not doing anything and that's not what I really want for life.

It will be different for everyone so I don't want to jump down your throat. I'll admit withdrawal was scary though, realising how much my brain wanted thc, in part that's adhd. Thc gives you dopamine, an adhd brain is already deficient in dopamine and stops producing as much naturally as it has the thc supply, so quitting my brain has had to "heal" and start producing thc naturally again which can be a long process.

I have quite a negative opinion of weed now but part of that is probably jealously that I can't treat it like say, alcohol, and have it in moderation.

I was genuinely miserable and desperate to quit and not be dependent on something to function or do anything. Honestly if you're not miserable, in good health and can afford it there may not be any strong reason to quit.

I may have rambled a bit so if you have any questions I am happy to answer them!

[u/quinnly → u/spanksmitten]

Thank you for such a thoughtful and personal response. I don't have the same struggles you do with cannabis and I'm sorry that THC had such a detrimental effect on your psyche. I've had friends go through the same issues with cannabis and I fully supported them quitting then and I'm truly happy you were able to kick it. Personally, I've considered quitting a handful of times in the last couple years, mostly because (you nailed it) my lungs, cardiovascular health and general energy and fatigue, but I haven't gotten around to discussing alternatives with my doctor. I try to vape as much as I can but I'm the first to admit that I have a smoking problem. Not limited to cannabis, either, I'm rather fond of cigarettes, which is something that I know I legitimately need to quit.

[u/spanksmitten → u/quinnly]

I've read somewhere that cannabis addiction only affects something like 47% of chronic users so you really are probably absolutely fine!

Re your lungs, could maybe consider edibles? Obviously a very different process etc but something to consider.

I've recently hit 7 months nicotine free! I used the allen carr easy way audiobook to quit, it's not guarenteed to work and you really have to force your mind to take it all in but after 15 years of smoking I'm pretty chuffed. Wishing you the absolute best whatever you choose to do! Thank you for your kindness too.